Pre-natal care legislation passes Ohio Senate

Legislation heads to governor

State Rep. Gayle Manning, R-North Ridgeville, announced the Ohio Senate unanimously passed House Bill 11 on June 10. The legislation addresses infant mortality.

The goal of the bipartisan legislation is to reduce infant mortality and improve the health of mothers and children across the state, according to a news release from Manning’s office.

Manning acknowledged the bill’s Senate passage June 11.

State Rep. Stephanie Howse, D-Cleveland, is a joint sponsor.

“I am so pleased to see this bipartisan legislation move forward and make its way closer to becoming law,” Manning said. “Infant mortality is three times higher among African Americans compared to white children due to a lack of prenatal care, oral health care and tobacco usage and it’s an issue that certainly needs to be addressed.”

The bill would expand tobacco cessation programs and increase lead education and support group pre-natal health care programs, which hopefully, results in decreasing the chances of infant illness or death, as well as to improve the health of mothers.

The bill also decreases the state share of Medicaid spending dollars while increasing the federal share of Medicaid dollars, according to the release.

It will allow Ohio to utilize the state share savings to help balance the budget, the release said.

“An investment in Ohio’s mothers, children and families are among our top priorities,” Manning said. “The passage of House Bill 11 demonstrates our effort to reduce infant mortality and increase access to health care for those who so desperately need it.”

House Bill 11 is one of the bipartisan priority bills for the 133rd General Assembly, legislation that builds pillars for a stronger Ohio, the release said.